OPE_ITENE: Methodologies and Processes to Increase Participation in Horizon Europe Projects (2026–2027)

ITENE is developing the OPE-ITENE project, funded by the Spanish State Research Agency, within the framework of the 2025 call for grants aimed at the preparation and management of European projects and the attraction of international talent.

The main objective is to strengthen and consolidate the centre’s participation in the Horizon Europe programme by increasing both the number of proposals submitted and the success rate, while also enhancing ITENE’s leadership in strategic projects related to its technological areas.

Context

This project focuses on strengthening the support structures for the management of and participation in European Horizon Europe projects through the European Projects Office (OPE). In this way, the aim is to enhance ITENE’s research and management capacities for the implementation of R&D projects and the generation of knowledge.

In addition, the initiative contributes to facilitating the participation of the Spanish business sector in European projects, particularly in the fields of packaging, transport, logistics, biotechnology, and the circular economy, promoting access to international funding and strategic collaboration networks.

Summary and Objectives

The overall objective of OPE_ITENE is to increase ITENE’s participation and success in the Horizon Europe programme, strengthening its position as a leading technology centre in Europe and increasing the economic return obtained from European programmes. The project also contributes to the identification, launch, and consolidation of new research and innovation projects at the European level.

Additionally, the project aims to consolidate the participation of the Spanish business sector in European projects by promoting internationalisation, access to competitive funding, and collaboration with strategic European partners, as well as encouraging the generation of new R&D initiatives and new research projects arising from these collaborations.

This approach enables:

  • Access to European funding for the development of knowledge, technologies, and infrastructures.
  • Strengthening collaboration between technology centres, companies, and European entities.
  • Promoting scientific excellence and applied innovation within the centre.
  • Encouraging the creation of new business opportunities based on R&D.
  • Increasing knowledge transfer to the productive sector.
  • Contributing to the identification, maturation, and launch of new European research and innovation projects.

Objective 1. Increase participation in successful Horizon Europe proposals

The aim is to increase the centre’s economic return compared to the 2023–2024 period, with a realistic target of reaching approximately €10.4 million in returns during 2026–2027, maintaining an annual average of €5.2 million.

Objective 2. Increase ITENE’s leadership in European projects

The project seeks to strengthen ITENE’s role as a project coordinator, with the realistic target of coordinating 5 projects during the 2026–2027 period, consolidating its position in strategic high-impact areas.

Objective 3. Increase the participation of Spanish companies in European projects

The project will encourage the involvement of companies within the Spanish ecosystem in Horizon Europe projects, aiming to achieve the participation of 40 companies during the 2026–2027 period and strengthening the connection between research and industry.

Objective 4. Consolidation of the OPE structure and improvement of management excellence

The project reinforces the European Projects Office as a stable structure within ITENE, ensuring quality in proposal preparation, project management, and interaction with international partners.

Lines of Action

The OPE_ITENE action plan is structured around five main lines of action:

Line 1. Internal strengthening of the European Projects Office

Optimisation of procedures, improvement of internal capacities, and consolidation of the specialised team dedicated to the preparation and management of European proposals.

Line 2. Preparation of Horizon Europe proposals

Identification of opportunities, definition of project ideas, development of international consortia, and drafting of competitive proposals with high success potential.

Line 3. Promotion of business participation in European projects

Active integration of Spanish companies into international consortia, encouraging their access to European funding and participation in collaborative innovation initiatives.

Line 4. Promotion of collaboration with other entities

Strengthening international networks, technology platforms, and sectoral associations to improve ITENE’s positioning within the European R&D ecosystem.

Line 5. Interoperability and monitoring of the OPE strategy

Coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of results to ensure the achievement of objectives and the consistency of the action plan.

Funding

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